Values-Based Leadership
The word ‘value’ is one of the most overused in business today. But what is value? What do we mean when we speak of ‘values’? And what does either term have to do with leadership?
Value—and values—are connected to what leaders do and who leaders are. This is true for at least three reasons. First, successful leaders facilitate value creation within, and by, their organizations. This is a market mandate that cannot be ignored over the long term, even within the nonprofit and government sectors.
Second, the best leaders make things happen and get things done largely because of their ability to influence others to reach a common goal. But to gain followership, leaders must be able to articulate and act in accord with values that resonate.
Finally, leaders help to establish and reinforce organizational values. Again, because of their influence leaders play a major role in establishing or directing these values—and by extension the firm’s entire culture.
The focus of this course is on identifying, clarifying and managing values—as well as value. We will examine some of the most personal and fundamental aspects of leadership, even while using a practical, tools-based approach that emphasizes immediate applications to your job and personal life. For those in leadership positions, or those who aspire to such positions, this course is a must.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
In this course you will address important questions including:
- Where and how does my organization create value?
- What do I believe drives success in my industry or segment? What do my team members, my direct reports, my superiors, and/or my customers believe about the same?
- What is important to me? What fundamental beliefs guide my personal decision-making?
- What fundamental beliefs guide actions taken by my organization?
- Can I answer these questions from a normative standpoint? For example, can I say what fundamental beliefs should guide my personal decision-making? Or what should guide actions taken by my organization?
From this course you will acquire:
- New tools for surfacing and working with values.
- An enhanced reflective capacity as a values-based leader.
- Your personal development plan for values-based leadership.
Course Outline
Day 1: Values at the Individual Level
Introduction to the S3 Framework: Surface, Strategize, Synchronize
- “Surface”—what values do we hold?
- “Strategize”—what values should we hold? What assumptions, beliefs should we carry with us? What are the implications for action?
- “Synchronize”—how can we achieve alignment, both in terms of values and action?
Values and Decisions
- “Decision-drivers”
- Values that drive the decisions of customers, employees, and others
- Surfacing and shaping decision-drivers
Values and Personal Integrity
- Threats to Personal Integrity: alienation, and unethical behaviors
- Ethical frameworks for decision-making
- Defining personal success
Day 2: Values at the Firm Level
Transactional Value and Value Creation
- Creating and using the value proposition
Culture, Values and the Mission Statement
- Moving from lofty words to actionable direction
- How to write a mission statement that ‘works’
Corporate Values and Social Responsibility
- Three models for how companies can incorporate values into financial imperatives
Pulling It All Together: Your Values-Based Toolkit
- Becoming a Values-Based Leader
- Tools you can use immediately
- Your personal development plan
Faculty
Deborah Mitchell has a unique background that combines academic and professional expertise.
She received her Ph.D. in Behavioral Science and Marketing from the University of Chicago and began her academic career as a faculty member at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She has held faculty positions at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and the Johnson Graduate School of Management (Cornell). Her research has been published in the Journal of Consumer Research, the Journal of Consumer Psychology and the Journal of Advertising.
In addition to her academic career, Deborah is an internationally known consultant with expertise in creating market-focused organizations. As president of Cypress Consulting, Ltd, Deborah has worked closely with industry leaders. Clients have included Time-Warner, CNN, Bristol Meyers Squibb, General Motors and Syngenta.
Since 2006, she has led the Wisconsin Enterprise MBA platform consisting of the Evening and Executive MBA programs, which are designed for working professionals. As an instructor Deborah teaches various courses at the School including “Values-Based Leadership” within the Executive and Evening MBA. She was awarded “UW School of Business Teacher of the Year” by full-time MBA students two years in a row.